sabato 7 agosto 2010

Help !

This is just the latest "nonsense" in an infinite series which come from this lady ....

.... italians up in arms after minister mounts attack on Palio horse raceItaly's glamorous tourism minister scored a spectacular own-goal by suggesting the banning of Siena's "Palio" horse race, one of the country's most famous traditions which dates back centuries.The Palio di Siena is held in July and August every year. Jockeys wearing the colours of the city's wards race around Piazza del Campo. The race's origins are in medieval times, but the first modern Palio was held in 1656 Photo: EPAMichela Brambilla, 42, a former Miss Italy finalist known for her high heels and short skirts, said that deaths and injuries to horses that take place in the traditional pageant harm the nation's image abroad.The flame-haired minister, nicknamed "La Rossa", said that in the wake of a decision last month by the parliament of Catalonia to ban bull fighting – the first region of mainland Spain to do so – Italy should consider curtailing similar dangerous events.However, the suggestion infuriated the inhabitants of Siena, with the city's mayor insisting that every effort was made to avoid injury to the horses.He pointed out that the event, which featured in a spectacular rooftop chase in the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace starring Daniel Craig as 007, attracted tens of thousands of tourists to the Tuscan city every summer and brought in much needed revenue.Since 1970 around 50 horses have died after falling, colliding or being trampled in the breakneck race, which normally lasts less than two minutes.However, Miss Brambilla said: "Italy should promote abroad the image of being an animal friendly country. If Catalonia can ban an ancient tradition such as bullfighting, I believe it is the time for us to review festivals and events where animals are mistreated. Violence against animals damages Italy's image."Her appointment as a minister by Silvio Berlusconi, 73, raised eyebrows in Italy, with critics saying she had scant political experience and that the choice had more to do with her youth and good looks.She joined a bevy of other attractive women on the government benches, including former men's magazine model Mara Carfagna, who holds the equal opportunities portfolio.Hours later Miss Brambilla issued a statement insisting that she had not specifically demanded that the Palio be banned.Even so, her remarks were welcomed by animal rights campaigners but roundly condemned by the mayor of Siena, Maurizio Cenni, who called them "shameful"."This is an act of sabotage. She has accused us of a crime – the mistreatment of animals – without knowing anything about the Palio or Siena."It is shameful that a minister expresses herself in this way and attacks an entire city. The money (that Siena earns from the Palio) pays for social services that her government has cut."Gianvittore Vaccari, an MP from the Northern League, a key ally in Silvio Berlusconi's embattled conservative coalition, said: "I'm surprised and perplexed. We will never accept that centuries-old cultural traditions can be scrubbed from the annals of our country."The president of a Siena hoteliers' association, Marco Bianciardi, said: "The Palio bears no resemblance to bullfighting, its purpose is not to do harm to animals." The Siena Palio, the most famous of several historic horse races held in Italy, takes place twice a year – on July 2 and Aug 16. Its earliest known antecedents are medieval, but the race first took place in its current form in 1656.Tens of thousands of spectators watch bareback jockeys hurtle three times around Siena's dirt-covered, cobblestone Piazza del Campo, wearing the colours of the Tuscan city's fiercely competitive 'contrade' or districts.They trace their origins back to the 12th century and are represented by animals and symbols, including a she-wolf, a panther, an eagle, a tower and a shell.